NTTCALR: Major bruising at IV site

buckeyebaby814

So I realize this is something I should call my doctor about in the morning, and I will if necessary, but first wanted to see if any of you have experience with this.

On Friday, I had an IV for my endoscopy.  When I got home, I of course had a large bruise covering my hand from the IV as well as a large lump near the site.  I called, they said while the large lump is not typical, it does happen and to put warm compresses and pressure on it.  So I did and it was nearly gone yesterday.

Today, I was back to work with my kinders and by the end of the day I had brand new, red splotches (new bruises maybe?) on top of my old bruise and the lump near my IV site has come back (although not as large as my wrist bone like Friday).

Have any of you experienced this?  Who do I call about it tomorrow?  My GI did my endoscope, but that seems weird to call my GI about an IV site complication.

MeganS313

Your IV could have infiltrated and caused the fluid to leak out into your hand rather than staying in the vein.  Plain old IV fluid would not "normally" be a problem.  Do you know what was in your IV? 
Warm Compresses are the OTC treatment of choice for extravasation (infiltration).  There are certain drugs you can give for certain things that infiltrate but it would be rare you'd have received one of those.  You could also try Benadryl for the splotches. 
I'd call tomorrow to make sure if you dont know what was in the IV line just to be certain. 
Good luck!

buckeyebaby814

MeganS313:

Your IV could have infiltrated and caused the fluid to leak out into your hand rather than staying in the vein.  Plain old IV fluid would not "normally" be a problem.  Do you know what was in your IV? 
Warm Compresses are the OTC treatment of choice for extravasation (infiltration).  There are certain drugs you can give for certain things that infiltrate but it would be rare you'd have received one of those.  You could also try Benadryl for the splotches. 
I'd call tomorrow to make sure if you dont know what was in the IV line just to be certain. 
Good luck!

I had anesthesia and IV fluids.  I do know that when they put the IV in I bled like crazy!  It's frustrating because I can't exactly sit in my classroom tomorrow holding warm compresses on my hand!

buckeyebaby814

jalara48:

Does the bump feel warm or cool to touch???

If it's cool then it would mean the IV "infiltrated", aka wasn't in the vein and released fluid into the surrounding tissue.

It it's warm it would indicate phlebitis, which is an infection.

It cool, but my hands are almost always cool/cold.  I'm just annoyed that it came back and I have new bruises (or red spots) on top of my old bruise!  Well worried and annoyed.  Thanks Jalara

killian09

I'm sure the nurses here have you covered but I had a huge swollen bruise after my last blood draw. It went away after 1 week. Hope yours improves soon!

buckeyebaby814

jalara48:

buckeyebaby814:

jalara48:

Does the bump feel warm or cool to touch???

If it's cool then it would mean the IV "infiltrated", aka wasn't in the vein and released fluid into the surrounding tissue.

It it's warm it would indicate phlebitis, which is an infection.

It cool, but my hands are almost always cool/cold.  I'm just annoyed that it came back and I have new bruises (or red spots) on top of my old bruise!  Well worried and annoyed.  Thanks Jalara

NP! 

Is it cooler than the surrounding tissue? Or when compared to that spot on the other hand?

Like the PP said, there's not much you can do for infiltration - your body will absorb the extra fluid over time.

But if the redness starts to look like it's following a vein-like pattern get seen ASAP as it would likely be a blood infection which can get very bad very fast.

Just keep an eye on the temp of that area (odd sounding, I know!).

Crap- I just wrapped it now it all feels warm so infant tell. The redness seems to be localized to the IV area, but I will keep a close eye on it- thanks again!

 

Thank you also- both Megan and Lillian  

buckeyebaby814

buckeyebaby814:

jalara48:

buckeyebaby814:

jalara48:

Does the bump feel warm or cool to touch???

If it's cool then it would mean the IV "infiltrated", aka wasn't in the vein and released fluid into the surrounding tissue.

It it's warm it would indicate phlebitis, which is an infection.

It cool, but my hands are almost always cool/cold.  I'm just annoyed that it came back and I have new bruises (or red spots) on top of my old bruise!  Well worried and annoyed.  Thanks Jalara

NP! 

Is it cooler than the surrounding tissue? Or when compared to that spot on the other hand?

Like the PP said, there's not much you can do for infiltration - your body will absorb the extra fluid over time.

But if the redness starts to look like it's following a vein-like pattern get seen ASAP as it would likely be a blood infection which can get very bad very fast.

Just keep an eye on the temp of that area (odd sounding, I know!).

Crap- I just wrapped it now it all feels warm so infant tell. The redness seems to be localized to the IV area, but I will keep a close eye on it- thanks again!

 

Thank you also- both Megan and Lillian  

Not cool autocorrect...

That was supposed to be 'I can't tell' not 'infant' WTH it's not like I have an infant I talk about all day.

Manx that was supposed to be 'killian' not Lillian  

ct103

Not sure, but how was the endoscopy? Did you have a David after dentist moment on the way home? When do you get results?

buckeyebaby814

ct103:

Not sure, but how was the endoscopy? Did you have a David after dentist moment on the way home? When do you get results?

It went well.  They said everything looked 100% normal.  It's not normal at all that I still get food stuck in my throat or throw up for no reason, but my throat and stomach look good I guess... at least there's no damage.

As far as I know I did not have any David dentist moments  I do remember that I kept forgetting things, if that makes sense, lol.  I kept asking when the doctor was going to give me my results and apparently he already had.  And I'd been told that a few times when asking before, I just couldn't remember from the anesthesia!